Surgical splint.



Patented Opt. 15, 190i.

v E. L. 600K. SURGICAL SPLINT. (Application fil'gd Mar. 26, 1901.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrics.

ELIHU L. COOK, or HARLAN, IOWA.

SURGICAL SPLINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 684,411, datedOctober 15, 1901. V

Application filed March 26, 1901. Serial No. 52 914- (No model.)

To a whom it 17mg concern:

- Be it known that I, ELIHU L. COOK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Harlan, in the county of Shelby and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Surgical Splints, of which the following is a specification.

My object is to provide a splint so constructed as to be capable of use in providing extension and counter extension, so as to prevent fractured bones from being drawn toward each other by reason of the natural contraction of the muscles, in such a way as to cause the fractured ends of the bone to overlap, it being understood in this connection that by the term extension I mean the drawing or extending a limb to its proper length by counter extension -that is to say, retaining firmly and immovably in place the upper part of the fractured limb.

My invention consists in certain details in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the device whereby the object contemplated is attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the splint designed for the use of an arm, said figure showing also a portion of the human body in outline to illustrate the position of the splints with relationthereto. Fig. 2 shows a portion of the human body in outline with the legsplints applied thereto and also the parts for providing a support for bandages Whereby counter extension may be provided for thigh-bones. Fig. 3'shows the outline of the human leg with the splint applied thereto as required for supporting the patella and holding same firmly against movement in all directions by means of bandages, and Fig. 4 shows a detail sectional view of a portion of the metal splint to illustrate in detail the punctures herein referred to.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference-numeral 10 to indicate that portion of the splint designed to fit on the anterior surface of the arm, and 11 that portion designed to fit on the outer surface of the arm. These portions are connected by the hinges l2 and are of the ordinary shape and size, and the hinges are of the kind now in common use. At the upper end of the part 11 is an extension 13, connected with the part 11 by the narrow neck 14, which neck is curved in such a manner that the part 13 may lie on top of the shoulder.

The numeral 15 indicates the portion of the splint designed to rest upon the anterior portion of the forearm, and 16 that portion of the splint resting upon the anterior portion 5 of the arm, the parts 15 and 16 mating, respectively, with the parts 10 and 11.

All surfaces of the parts just described are punctured atregular intervals in the manner illustrated in detail in Fig. 4: and in practical use, and assuming that a fracture had occurred in the humerus I proceed as follows: The parts of the splint are applied to the body, as shown in Fig. 1. Then while the limb is held firmly in place by an assistant the bandage is bound around the parts 11 and 16, commencing at the lower extremity and winding upward, and lastly it is passed over the shoulders in a figure 8 fashion, so that it holds firmly in place the extension 13. Then the bandages are wound around the outer splints 11 and 16, and it is obvious extension takes place, and when these bandages are properly applied, as set forth, the muscles of the arm are prevented from contracting and drawing the ends of the fracture in the humerus together, so much so as to throw them out of alinement or to pass each other;

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the ref- 8 5 erence-numeral 17 is used to indicate that portion of the splint designed to rest against the outer surface of the thigh, and extension 18 is provided on the part 17 to cover the wearers hip and portion of his side. These extensions 18 may be formed integral with the part 17 or detached therefrom, as, for instance, the part 19. (Shown in Fig. 2.) 20 indicates the splint designed to rest upon the inner portion of the wearers thigh. The numerals 21 and 22 indicate, respectively, the splint portions designed to rest upon the outer and inner surface of the leg.

Assuming that a, fracture has occurred in the femur, I secure extension by placing 10o bandages around the lower portion of the splints 17 and 20 and connecting same with bandages around the leg-splints, so as to hold the lower end of the femur downwardly, and

counter extension is secured by means of bandages around the parts 18 and 19, connected with bandages around the upper portion of parts 17 and 20, thereby holding the upper portion of the femur firmly in line with the lower while extension is made from below, parts 17 and 20, extending underneath the thigh, preventing the tilting of the upper fragment of the femur Where there may be anyirregnlarities in the bed. Assuming, f urther, that a fracture had occurred in the bones of the leg, extension is secured by means of appliances connected with the hooks 23 and passed under the foot, and counterextension is secured by means of bandages around the upper portions of the parts 21 and 22, connected with bandages around the under portion of the parts 17 and 20. 7

Referring to the parts shown in Fig. 3, the reference-numeral 24 indicates a splint designed to lie against the under portion of the leg both above and below the knee, and 25 indicates a splint designed to rest upon the front of the leg above the knee, and 26 a splint to rest upon the leg below the knee. This device is used in fractures of the patella, and the patella is held firmly in place by means of bandages passing around the parts 26 and 24 and bandages connecting the two sets of bandages just described and passed over the patella. Then a pad may be placed under the last-mentioned bandage to bear against the patella.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States therefor, is-

1. In a surgical splint, asheet-metal portion shaped to conform to the upper portion of the limb, an integral sheet-metal'portion shaped to fit the wearers body above the upper portions of the limb, means for securing bandages to the last-mentioned part, and an integral narrow neck connecting the said parts so that they may be adjusted relative to each other and conform to the wearers body, for the purposes stated.

2. In a surgical splint, a sheet-metal portion shaped to conform to the upper portion of the limb, an integral sheet-metal portion shaped to fit the wearers body above the upper portions of the limb, means for securing band- S ng ia! ages to the last-mentioned part, and an integral narrow neck connecting the said parts i' 1 so that they may be adjusted relative to each other and conform with the wearers body, and separate independent parts shaped to and an adjustable connection for holding the two independent splint portions from each other, substantially, as and for the purposes stated. 7

ELIHU L. COOK. \Vitnessesi W. J. DAVIS,

GEoRe TEAKER.

conform with the lower portion of the limb, 5 be 

